Marshall University Reaches Out to Mike D'Antoni About Head Coaching Job

Following the Lakers' 108-105 loss in Milwaukee, Mike D'Antoni downplayed rumors that he's interested in the coaching job at Marshall University.

Update: Thursday, March 27 at 10:28 p.m. ET

It would appear D'Antoni is interested in the Marshall job, per CBS Sports' Jeff Borzello:

Clearly, D'Antoni is looking to his post-Lakers future.

Original Text:

Hey, fans of the Thundering Herd: Are you ready for some "Seven Seconds or Less" basketball?

According to ESPN's Marc Stein and Jeff Goodman, Marshall University inquired about the availability of current Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni. Marshall is looking for a big name to replace Tom Herrion, who was let go after four disappointing seasons at the West Virginia school.

D'Antoni is quite familiar with Marshall. He played his college ball there from 1970 to '73 and was selected in the second round of the 1973 NBA draft. His brother, Dan, also played at the school before teaming up with Mike on the coaching staff of both the Suns and Lakers.

Of course, there is still the minor inconvenience of D'Antoni's current position. But that might not be a problem much longer. The Lakers are finishing up perhaps their worst season since moving to the West Coast from Minneapolis in 1960.

D'Antoni doesn't seem to have the confidence of the Lakers locker room, as veteran big man Chris Kaman recently disclosed to the press that the two hadn't spoken in several weeks, per Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:

Given his disastrous exit from New York and his issues popping up again in Los Angeles, D'Antoni isn't likely to find another NBA head coaching job anytime soon.

Would the college game suit the 2004-05 NBA Coach of the Year? While his fast-paced, three-heavy offense might succeed—and attract fans—there are still questions about his ability to talk high school students (and their parents) into committing to his program.

Can the same coach that didn't speak to his own player for three weeks of the regular season charm young student-athletes on the recruiting trail? Bryan Gibberman of The Knicks Wall has his doubts:

Still, D'Antoni's name might be too good for Marshall to pass up. They have little recent basketball success to draw on, and schools like theirs are often looking for an attention-grabbing hire. Mike D'Antoni would certainly fall into that category.